Home Rule Isn’t a Buzzword — It’s Why Lone Tree Is What It Is

There’s been a lot of discussion about “home rule” this campaign season. Let’s start with the facts.

Lone Tree - A Home Rule Municipality Since 1998.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s not new. And it’s not something our city is at risk of losing.

Home rule is the legal framework that allows cities like Lone Tree to govern themselves locally — making decisions about land use, development, and community planning based on what’s best for residents here.

It’s foundational to how our city operates.

So What’s the Real Issue?

The conversation shouldn’t be about whether Lone Tree has home rule.

We do.

The real question — and the one that actually impacts residents — is: how is that authority being used?

Protecting home rule at the state level matters — and we will stay engaged — but locally, leadership is defined by how thoughtfully we use it.

Because having local control only matters if it’s exercised thoughtfully and responsibly.

That means:

• Asking hard questions before approvals are granted

• Fully evaluating safety, infrastructure, and long-term impacts

• Making decisions based on today’s realities — not assumptions from decades ago

• Ensuring development aligns with the character and needs of the community

  
  

“Approve now, fix later” is not a strategy. It’s a risk.

This Isn’t New for Me

As a Realtor, I’ve been actively engaged in land use and development conversations since 2015.

I’ve consistently advocated for municipalities to have the ability to guide their own growth — because local communities understand their needs better than anyone else.

I’ve also seen firsthand what happens when that responsibility isn’t handled carefully.

Decisions made today shape a community for decades. And once they’re made, they’re very hard to undo.

This isn’t a campaign talking point for me. It’s the work I’ve been doing for years.

Why This Matters Right Now

Home Rule gives us the ability to guide growth in a way that fits our infrastructure, protects what makes this city unique, and adds real value to the community.

But that only works if we use it thoughtfully.

It requires asking hard questions. It requires looking beyond what’s proposed on paper.And it requires being honest about long-term impacts — not just short-term gains.

Not every project is the right project. And not every version of a project is the right one either.

At its best, local control isn’t about stopping growth — it’s about making sure growth actually works for the people who live here.

Why this matters right now

Lone Tree is facing real decisions about growth, development, traffic, safety, and how our community evolves.

Those are the issues that deserve our attention.

While “home rule” may get more attention during campaign season, it shouldn’t distract from what actually impacts residents day to day.

Because we already have the authority - what matters is whether we use it well.

The Bottom Line

Home rule gives Lone Tree the ability to shape its own future. That’s a powerful responsibility.

It requires leadership that is willing to:

• Ask tough questions

• Slow things down when needed

• Look beyond short-term gains

• And make decisions that reflect the long-term health of the community

That’s the standard we should expect. And it’s the standard I believe in.

Keep Lone Tree Special.

About Tara

Tara Meekma is a Lone Tree resident, real estate professional, wife and mom. She is running for Lone Tree City Council, District 2 in the May 5, 2026 election.